The 2025 St. Pete Strong Yough Conference will return to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus Monday. The event is free for students in 6th through 12th grade, and will provide technology, innovation and empowerment workshops in a fun atmosphere. To register, visit the website here.
The Tampa River Center has been re-named in honor of former Tampa mayor Bob Buckthorn (2011-2019). The event center is part of the 25-acre Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, north of the University of Tampa.
Largo Fire Rescue and partner agencies have completed initial search and safety operations at two manufactured home communities after a tornado touched down in the area Wednesday night. Crews confirmed 10-15 homes in Bay Ranch and 40-50 homes in Ranchero Village sustained minor to severe damage. No injuries have been reported. Residents in need of assistance can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. The organization is also in the area today.
A new 540-space parking garage in the EDGE District is open for St. Pete Pride celebrations. The facility at 1388 1st Ave N. will charge a $1.50 hourly rate, with special event pricing capped at $10 per day. The garage is open continuously, managed by Universal Parking and visitors can pay using the Park with U mobile app.
Raymond James Bank will host the 34th annual Home Ownership for People Everywhere (HOPE) Expo from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday in St. Petersburg. Potential homebuyers can receive information on down-payment assistance programs and speak to lenders, real estate agents, home inspectors and credit counselors. The Raymond James Financial Center will host the free workshop at 880 Carillon Pkwy., Tower 2. To register, visit the website here.
The Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association, which serves the area between 1st Avenue and 9th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, has launched a fundraising campaign to plant at least 30 new trees throughout the community. Organizers hope to raise $20,000 and rebuild a tree canopy that reduces temperatures, mitigates flooding and supports wildlife. For more information, visit the website here.
Tampa Bay Rays fans can now vote on what players they think deserve a chance to play in the July 15 All-Star Game in Atlanta. Those who select the Rays as their favorite team and vote in the first phase, which ends at noon Thursday, will receive 50% off up to four tickets for home games in June or July. Jonathan Aranda ranks 1st among American League first basemen in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. To vote, visit the website here.
Texas-based Whataburger has submitted plans to open a new location at 10150 Ulmerton Rd. in Largo, its first in Tampa Bay in over 15 years. The 3,671-square-foot building formerly housed Joella's Hot Chicken, which closed in October 2024. Whataburger expanded into Tampa Bay in the early 2000s and once operated a fast-food restaurant in Largo. The fast-food chain announced plans to reenter the market in August 2024.
The City of St. Petersburg will continue to waive application and inspection fees for building permits associated with storm damage caused by Hurricanes Helen and Milton. Officials extended the initiative, set to expire June 30, until July 31. The city has issued over 11,200 fee-free permits since the devastating 2024 hurricane season. For more information, visit the website here.
John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of New York-based Red Apple Group, announced Tuesday that Dynasty Financial Partners has leased all 45,000 square feet of Class-A office space at 400 Central. Construction on the mixed-use development in downtown St. Petersburg, now the city's tallest building, is nearing completion. Dynasty relocated to St. Petersburg from New York City in 2019.
Your Neighborhood Produce Store is now offering cold-pressed juices from its location at 132 49th St. S. in South St. Petersburg. Kelli Casto, founder of Saving Our Seniors and ProducePAC, opened the produce store in April. She makes the juices, with names like Kickstart, Vital Root and Game Changer, using unsold fruit and vegetables.
St. Petersburg-based Patriot Select Property and Casualty Insurance Company has successfully assumed nearly 12,000 homeowners' multi-peril policies from the state's insurer of last resort. CEO John Rollins said absorbing policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation will help stabilize Florida's market. Patriot Select received regulatory approval in April.
